Home » Automated Brew House
Automated Brew House
ControlGlobal.com
01/13/2012
By IDEC
Process Description
A fully automated 50bbl Brew house is capable of producing 400bbls (12400gal.) of beer per day. One Pentra Micro PLC controls the entire system via: 3 modulating steam valves, 78 air actuated valves, 11 pumps, 4 water modulating valves, an entire grain handling system, 3 gear motors, numerous pressure and temperature transducer inputs, 4 flow meters, 11 empty pipe sensors, and many more devices.
PLC Process Design
Pentra Micro PLC used: (1) FC5A-D12X1E
Communications:
- Modbus TCPIP Master/Slave to another FC5A-D12X1E for CIP functions
- Ethernet to new 12” HG4G touchscreen
- Modbus RS485 to 11 Hitachi VFDs
- Ethernet to Control Room PC for SCADA operation via IDEC TCPIP protocol
List of Modules attached
- (5) FC4A-J8C1 - A total of 37 analog inputs used
- (2) FC4A-K4A1 - A total of 7 analog outputs used
- FC4A-HPC3 - Modbus RS485 comm. connected to 11 Hitachi VFDs
- Expansion power module
- (4) FC4A-N32B3 - A total of 176 digital inputs used
- (4) FC4A-T32K3 - A total of 186 digital outputs used
Features and Benefits of using the embedded Ethernet MicroSmart Pentra
- Ethernet based interface allowed us to install a standard PC with internet explorer and use the built-in control and monitor features from the 12" HG4G. By NOT having to purchase a third party SCADA program, we saved the customer approx. $25,000.
- Ethernet based connection allowed multiple interactions through only one port (i.e. touchscreen, programming, TCPIP Modbus link to another PLC) thus saving module space for more analog I/O.
- Ethernet based connection allowed for easy remote connection to the PLC and touchscreen.
- Ethernet based connection will be used for easily adding future touchscreens.
- Ethernet based PLC processor was powerful enough to run the entire Brew House using only one MicroSmart Pentra PLC.
Simple diagram of design/system

Picture of actual control panel with IDEC PLC and modules

More News:
-
04/30/2012
Beamex: Calibrating Smart Instruments
So called "smart" instruments are ever more popular in the process industry. The vast majority of delivered instruments today are smart instruments. These new smart instruments bring new challenges to the calibration and configuration processes.
-
04/02/2012
EPLAN Releases Data Portal 2.1
Available for View Via Corporate Website
- 02/06/2012 Invensys first to support virtualization technologies for high availability and disaster recovery
-
01/26/2012
Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controller Conversion to SoftPLC Video
Upgrade your old PLC CPU to a Programmable Automation Controller or PAC. Learn How
-
01/13/2012
Waste Heat Recovery
Waste heat recovery is difficult to quantify or at least is a very time consuming endeavor
-
01/13/2012
Remote Communication via Cellular Connection - Alarm Email, Text Message
Customer needs to know if there are problems at a remote site. However, there are no network connections available at this remote site. If there is a problem, the customer needs to respond ASAP
-
01/13/2012
Automation of Batch Fermentation Processes for Energy, Agricultural and Biotechnology
The batch process applications include energy, agricultural, and biotechnology and the laboratory applications include product development and testing in the chemical and environmental industries.
-
01/10/2012
Beamex Case Story: Sellafield
Sellafield Ltd benefits from lower cost of ownership, lower risk of contamination and increased levels of safety with Beamex calibrators. Learn how.
-
01/10/2012
Successfully Executing a System Integration Project
For process manufacturers today, having a reliable, seamlessly integrated set of IT systems across the plant, or across multiple sites, is critical to business efficiency, profitability and growth.
-
01/10/2012
Generating Efficient Calibration for ATCO Power
ATCO's Electrical & Instrumentation Department's main goal is to function as a Preventative & Predictive Maintenance team. They perform weekly calibrations and troubleshooting to maintain the process system and prevent incidents. Calibration also plays a vital role during plant shutdowns and turnarounds. Download this case study to learn how ATCO Power generates efficient calibration at its plant.
- All news »
Sponsored Links
Control Digital Edition
Access the entire print issue on-line and be notified each month via e-mail when your new issue is ready for you. Subscribe today.
- Featured White Papers

Print page